Selena Gomez just won the “Woman of the Year” award at this year’s annual Billboard Women in Music 2017 that was held on Thursday. She was presented the award by Francia Raisa. In her acceptance speech, Selena told the audience in tears, “To be honest. I think Francia should be getting this award because she saved my life.” Selena was referring to Francia’s donation of her kidney to Selena in September of this year. Selena had been suffering from Lupus, and had the transplant just two weeks before her projected kidney failure. Obviously, Francia’s magnanimous offering to Selena forever bonds them together, reinforcing their already very close friendship. They had called each other, “sis”, affectionately before the surgery, but now they are indeed like sisters.

The two had met for the first time in 2007, when they were part of a group of Disney and ABC Family stars who visited the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. Raisa told Latina magazine in 2013 that, “Selena and I were in the same group and we just clicked.” Ever since, these two stars have been the best of friends.

But, who could have imagined when they first met that at some point in the future, Francia would begiving one of her kidneys to Selena? Buddhists in Japan have a very appropriate answer for this. Whenasked this question, they would answer by saying, “No one could have known that Francia would be givingher kidney to Selena, except for the Buddha.” A meeting such as theirs is so auspicious, that the meetingcould be described as one of butsu-en. butsu means “Buddha” or “of the Buddha”, while en means“connection”. Put the two terms together and we have “Buddhist connection”.

Without their epic first encounter these two would not have gotten to know each other at all, let alonesomeday be a donor or recipient of a kidney. Whatever is behind their story, we can agree that their firstmeeting is the one most crucial circumstance in the development of their relationship. In addition, thatFrancia was physically compatible with Selena to safely donate a kidney may not have been accidental.Compatibility is not a low hurdle. First of all, in order to be a kidney donor, one must be of compatibleblood type. Then, one’s tissue type must match. Finally, cross-match testing must be done to determinethat the recipient does not have antibodies against the donor’s cells. To meet someone, and then todevelop a relationship in which both parties have mutual respect for one another is a very difficult andelusive prospect, and not just a coincidence is what Buddhists believe. Such an encounter is oftenassumed to be one created by bustu-en, such that it was necessary for them to meet and become friends.

What the Buddha would want one to understand is that nothing in this world happens withoutmeaning. There is great meaning that one is born. There is great meaning why one was born to a certainfamily. There is great meaning why one was placed in a certain classroom with a certain teacher. There isgreat meaning that one has met the people that they have met. There is great meaning that one has metone’s partner in life. There is great meaning why one chose the work that one does. There is greatmeaning in why one has a certain circle of friends. There is great meaning why one is living the life thats/he is living. Finding the meaning of these relationships, and appreciating it is part of what Buddhism isabout.

In all this, there is one thing to remember. Whether divine intervention was involved in Selena andFrancia meeting each other, what may have been started by divine intervention is left to each on theirown to either enhance or abate their relationship thereafter. Had Selena and Francia not made an effortto further their relationship, nothing would have come of it. Buddhism holds that it is very important tocherish and work hard to keep these relationships to nurture a fulfilling life.(Eisei Ikenaga)